Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 1 9 72 ANACONDA-PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE If you're headed down I-90 and you want to make things a bit more scenic, hop off on the Anaconda-Pintler Scenic Route. A 55-mile drive, the Pintler Route begins just outside of Drum- mond and runs to Anaconda. Widely considered a "must-do" drive, the Anaconda-Pintler Scenic Route offers some breathtaking scenery. Drivers wind along the shores of Georgetown Lake, which sits at the foot of the Anaconda Range, through the Phillipsburg Valley, and along Flint Creek. One of the biggest perks of this drive is that it of- fers a wide variety of scenery in a relatively short distance. From the picturesque shoreline of the lake to the vibrant green of Flint Creek Canyon, there's a lot to love on this gorgeous drive. FAST FACTS • ROAD LENGTH 55 Miles • PAVED OR GRAVEL? Paved • DO YOU NEED 4WD? No • TRAFFIC Moderate • VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS Trailers are allowed, no vehicle restrictions • ACCESS DATES Year-round access, dependent on weather THE BIG HOLE VALLEY & RIVER SCENIC DRIVE e Big Hole Valley & River Scenic Drive is an 82-mile road that runs through the stunning Big Hole Valley. Visitors to this area will drive through Wisdom, along the Big Hole River, and around the fringes of the Bitterroot and Pioneer Mountains. e road starts at the junction of Highway 278 and the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. At Jackson, the road meets the Big Hole River. e Pioneer Mountains rise to the East, while the Anaconda Range looms in the North. If you want views, look West toward the stunning Bitterroot Mountains. When you get to Wisdom, stop at e Crossing Bar for a burger and a cold drink before you get back on the road. Don't leave the area without visiting the Big Hole National Battlefield—just 10 miles to the west of Wisdom on Highway 43. e battlefield, widely considered one of the most notable in the state, was the scene of a battle between the U.S. Army and the Nez Perce on August 9-10, 1877. FAST FACTS • ROAD LENGTH 82 Miles • PAVED OR GRAVEL? Paved • DO YOU NEED 4WD? No • TRAFFIC Light • VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS Trailers are allowed, no vehicle restrictions • ACCESS DATES Year-round access 3 4 ANACONDA-PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE THE BIG HOLE VALLEY & RIVER SCENIC DRIVE

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